TMF Rewound - Riding the Bealach na Ba by BMW R1200 GS
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- TMF Rewound - Riding the Bealach na Ba by BMW R1200 GS: Back in April of 2017 I rode the North Coast 500 (plus some) which included Britain's most "inclinous route" - the brilliant Bealach na Ba in North West Scotland - in case you missed it back then, here is that ride, what I think is one of Britain's most scenic....enjoy!
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That was even better second time around many thanks for posting 👍👀
Done this a few times, most memorable was playing stalemate with an old Duffas in a car that went past a passing place & expected me to reverse uphill on my Deauville, no Thankyou I said. He nearly went off the toad twice while reversing himself, to which I politely said Thankyou.
I had exactly the same issue, except I was going uphill not far from the top. Car with 4 quite elderly OAPs coming down who could clearly see me coming up on my (fully loaded) bike. They drove straight past a passing place and then met me at a very narrow spot resulting in some tricky manoeuvring on my part with big drop to my left, during which I get a load of very interesting anglo saxon-themed verbal abuse from the two old dears in the back!
I often wonder at the mindset of someone in a car who knows they are going on a single track road but doesn’t like reversing, it’s inevitable!.
My best one was when I was in a Motorhome, old duffus refused to go back 20 feet but I pointed out that I could stay where I was in my home on wheels for at least a couple of weeks so after a bit of verbal abuse from him he did reverse. Welcome to the Highlands everyone.
It's definitely a bit of a tricky road but there are some amazing views. The coast road from Applecross to Shieldaig is a lot of fun as well. Decent fish and chips in Applecross too.
I've rode this a couple of times, once I was two up and fully loaded with a week's camping gear, definitely a challenge ☺️
Rather you than me!
I’ve travelled up and over both ways during different periods of every year travelled in heavy rain high winds and mist many many times over a fourteen year period , on a GTR 1400, two up and with luggage and I can say it’s one hell of an experience especially when you get drivers not converse with motorcycle riding driving at you at speed. Keep the brilliant videos going Andy. Great job
Thank you Tim!
I did this with 3 friends 2 or 3 years ago, left applecross on a very foggy morning, it wasn't fun to say the least and I was lead bike, as I'm scottish and had been on this road before... still..when you get reasonable weather like this it's much better!
Did this in my youth in Spring when there was still a bit of ice about - exciting!
Coming down into Applecross is like discovering Shangri-La.
Good going TMF makes some of the Gran Canaria roads look easy and this road at night whole different ball game on a bike!
Oh yes!
This is a proper bikers road, done it twice to Applecross. Plus once from Loch Carron to the viewing point at the top and back. The trip back down is the most enjoyable, the view is stunning👍😁
What a stunning place to ride. It's really fun cycling up and great going down the other side.
It really is!
We did it in May (BMW 1200 gsa & Triumph Tiger 800) - fantastic ride but we were lucky to have amazing weather! 😀👍☀️
Makes all the difference!
I had an off on this road, the third time I have rode it.
Came over it in very high winds, made the mistake of relaxing once over the crest.
Done applecross numerous times. (once in snow😳)
...not the best road ,but the views can be amazing
But the road from applecross to Ullapool is in my top 5 ....absolutely brilliant piece of road 😍
Agreed! Amazing riding on the West coast...
Great to look at it again! Thanks for reposting your adventure there! Cheers, Tim
That indeed looked tricky. The oncoming threat raises the blood pressure. Wouldn’t even consider that ride during tourist season. Well played TMF 👍🏼
Cheers!
I did it year before last on my R1150GS full luggage and my partner on the back in tourist season, loved it! Just need to take your time and take it bit by bit.
Love that hill, did it twice after I watched you go up it. First time I got stuck behind a cement mixer lorry most of the way up ;-)
Did this pass this year on our summer holiday in Scotland. Together with the old military road a great experience even in a car.
Done the road on both a Motorbike & cycled up it. Applecross is a gem of a place so worth the effort over the Bealach to get there. I think you'll find Hard Knot pass in the Lake District worse, 1:3 gradient hills. Merry Christmas from Vancouver Island.
did this on a Tiger 800 packed for 3 weeks of wildcamping this summer..... was disapointed as i was expecting it to be a bit of a challenge..... hard knot pass was more fun to do
A couple of us went up the same route you did and stayed in the camping grounds on the descent down into Applecross itself. We started off the route in the late afternoon and the sun was just about to set by the time we got to the summit. To say it was "scary biscuits" with cars coming the other way was under selling it! (I can heartily recommend the camp site!) Fantastic views and there's a pub just down the road from the camp site that did great food! (Was a while ago now, don't know if it's still going). Great video Andy!
Yep - the Applecross Inn, comes highly recommended!
Its a great road and onward toward Torridon is awesome views also. I've it all ... on a bicycle actually.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year, hell that ride scared me and I`m sitting in front of a computer (nice one)
Each to their own but I've never understood why you didn't enjoy this road. It's a beautiful and remote place and the road is ace to ride.
..I did enjoy it!! Just a bit bum clenching on a big bike...
I did the North Coast 500 on my Fireblade. It was fun especially Apple Cross pass. The biggest challenge was the Tesco delivery Van's hooning around the single track roads.
@@TheMissendenFlyer My apologies, for the misunderstanding. I've been going over there for years, well since I was a kid back in the early eighties riding pillion on my Dads GS (that's a Suzuki GS1000S BTW) and the scenery and people have never failed to make me smile. A wonderful place indeed...
I enjoy watching all your foreign tour vids, but there’s something special about these home ones. I’ll give it a go one day, but might need a lighter bike! Enjoyed the chat at the NEC. Have a great Christmas to all at TMF HQ.
And Merry Christmas to you and yours too.....aiming for some more UK tours in 2020...
As a Scot, I’ve done this route many times. At its best, it’s ok, at its worst it’s shit (wet road, low visibility, 12 x 18” gully at edge of tarmac, foreign drivers, broken surface). There are restrictions for vehicle sizes that foreign motorhomes ignore and many car drivers; British and foreign, hog the middle of the road on blind bends. Do it once if you have too but there are many much better routes in Scotland.
Amazing road to drive on. First time I did it it was covered in mist with 10m visibility and met every car at the hairpin bends
Such a shame you didn't enjoy this road, I have done this road 8 times over the years and I always enjoy the challenge of riding my bike over this route, yes it's challenging but that's why we ride. You should of stopped at the view point at the summit, on a good day the views are spectacular, looking out over Skye and if you are lucky seeing the Outer Hebrides.
This was an excellent series of videos and inspired me to tour Scotland this July. Then you went to Norway......
Oh yes, Norway, like Scotland but turned up to Eleven....
I enjoyed this the first time, so definitely worth another look. Also, good to see your GS again. It's hardly featured this year.
Yes i know - must try harder in 2020 - I bought her 6 years ago today!
TheMissendenFlyer happy birthday then
Great to watch that again, if you do get round to doing it again you really need to stop at the parking area at the top where it levels off. The views from there are absolutely stunning.
Walt Barbour Yes....can’t believe didn’t stop at the viewpoint
Did this last October in dense fog and drizzle. But the worst was the oncoming traffic. Camper vans just coming onwards to you past the passing spots forcing you to take avoidance... as if there is much option there. By the time Applecross was reached, the Fish & Chips was much appreciated in the pub.
Still loved it though, and went again this June.
Perhaps a T700 or a Vstrom 250 would have been more fun on that one. Definitely on my list now. Thanks.
The bealach na Bà sign has been replaced by a brand new one on the opposite side of the road. It's much taller to dissuade the placing of stickers. The original sign is in the Applecross heritage centre.
It would be nice to hopefully offer a few squid to the centres coffers and then be allowed to take a selfie with the original signpost.
How interesting - thanks David...
Loved the vid just as much the second time around. Really useful understanding the gears you were in on the hairpins. Going to take the Scrambler 1200 XE up there next year to try it. Should be the perfect bike for that type of road......not so sure about the rider however!
Hi TMF - I think I saw this originally and it was one of your select few vids that got me back to biking! In 2008 I was staying on Skye and decided to follow some bike riders for a couple of days in my car, with their Agreement of course. The Applecross route was one of the many highlights. Great shack restaurant down the other side too! Thanks for the memory Andy. I hope you and your family have a wonderful time over the festivities. Yours aye, Alan
Cheers Alan, you too!
I didn't think this was bad. If you want a scary ride try the Furka Pass in Switzerland. You'll definitely have nightmares after that.
Did this on a 340KG Honda F6C. With a full tank of fuel and a tail pack on. Thankfully ascended from the Applecross side,which i think has fewer hairpins. It definitely tests your skills!
Nice one!
Just back from these roads amazing
Good innit!
@@TheMissendenFlyer amazing even though it was biblical rain for days was just incredible I’m from Scotland and found a new found love of the place ticked of the bucket list
Done it a few years ago on a Honda cb two fifty, in low clouds! Great fun.
Done on a FJR was amazed when pushbikes are at the top
Good to see that challenging ride again . The last few nights I've been watching a rewind of your Arctic Circle trip .Just as good second time around .There's something about a GS , but at 5'6 they're a bit tall for me .
Lowered versions are available!
I really enjoyed that, many thanks and Happy Christmas 👍
This looks tricky. The Stelvio pass is a side street to this. (With traffic of course).
Great to see this one again..!
I’ve done this several times on a Pan European and a Multistrada. Most enjoyable, especially knowing that fish and chips await you in Applecross.....mmmmm!
👍 Enjoyable video with great views.
Did this in May - was an absolute pleasure with stunning views in the sun. You should try the Handknott / Wrynose passes in the Lake District - now those were challenging 2-up and fully loaded....
I've done them several times - videos on here somewhere....
It's a great road more famous for its fabulous views than its riding pleasure. Rode it a couple of years ago. I would say Hardknott pass is more difficult although I know Martin has taken you up what they call the ultimate challenge in Gran Canaria which is as technical as anything I've ridden. Cheers and have a good Christmas from Carol and Richard.
Cheers BM - you too!
What a beautiful road it is 😎☝️🇬🇧🏍
Done it a few times, first time memorable for dropping my fully loaded 1200 on that first tight hairpin with lousy camber (wrong gear!). The local farmer who picked me up said he wished he had a pound for all the bikes that had got it wrong! It was foggy and raining in my defence and I was very tired after a long ride up from Northumberland. The beer and food at the Applecross Inn where I stayed eased the pain and I got away with a few scratches on the panniers. Spectacular road but it’s not really what I would call enjoyable, much preferred the coastal road north through the lovely highland coos the next day.
Thanks Andy, love that place>
Me too - must get back!
I have to drive to Germany to get some higher roads. The Eifel and Sauerland are great for riding. Two and three hours riding before you get there.
Beautiful sceneries where you’ve been riding. You really don’t want to stop or stall on a hairpin; you’re feet can’t always reach the ground.
I use more throttle and regulate the speed with the back break and don’t use the clutch for that. In that way the engine always has pulling power enough and won’t stall.
Nice to see this again. A friend of mine has just moved to Drumnadrochit only an hour or so away from this ride, so I have no excuse not to go now!
On another note, I received my new style t-shirt & stickers today. Definitely better quality than the Teespring ones! All the best to you & yours.
Hey nice one - thank you!
It would be a solid ride on a push bike but bloody great fun coming down
Looks like an epic road and, in true Scottish style, THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! (while the other one waits in a passing spot lol)
Sorry I couldn't help myself, the iconic Highlander quote just came to me naturally. :D
I did this road with my wife (girlfriend at the time) in the mid 90s. We borrowed my fathers old Land Rover and drove up from the Bristol area and with the old 68hp Diesel engine it was bloody slow but steady! Listening to the video your BMW sounds more clunky than that old Land Rover!
I think we stayed in a B&B in a place called apple cross if my memory is correct, beautiful part of the world and another road I’d like to see again on my tiger
Yes the inn at Applecross is just down on the left where this video ends....
Beautiful landscape
If you think this is difficult, try the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, multiple passes the best has 29 hairpins going to over 2000m (not feet).
Drove it after the original vid #amazing
Amazing scenery!
Blow me I drove up the pass in my 4x4 just a few days ago while on holiday in Scotland. Stunning views, breathtaking scenery, and I'm looking at returning in the summer on my Honda NC750...when I'm sure the DCT version I have will come into its own...incidentally, the wind was so strong I had to hold on tight so the wife didn't get blown away....
Bib The Boulder you missed a trick there.
Nice, man. The GS seems clonky clunky lurchy at slow speed on the hairpins, maybe similar to my SV650a. Is that the case? I test rode the MT-09 2019 and it was smooth and lurch free almost like a twist and go so seamless smooth. My next bike will hopefully be an adventure bike [GS, V-strom 1050, Africa Twin]. Cheers.
That was fun.
Glad you liked it!
Did this a few months ago but opposite direction. It was very cloudy and raining. Gullies down each side of road going up from applecross side so you dont want to meet any traffic that hasn't stopped in passing places. . However as cars couldnt see they we not waiting in passing places so ended up with traffic jam on hairpin, Van burnt clutch out people unable to turn or reverse due to amount of traffic. Van driver telling us to reverse on three motorcycles fully laden with luggage. they are trying to have it removed of the NC500. Ideally need a traffic light system with no stopping or something similar. It was nightmare so would give it a miss in bad weather.
Yes sounds like it - I agree a traffic light system would make sense….
TMF have you been over Hardknott pass yet? It’s a must do. 👍
Doddle, TMF...what you on about...it’s just a pleasant uphill ride. Harknott is something else...defo not for the faint hearted...this is a walk in comparison...done them both (on a VFR800) and am going back in the warmer weather.
Just thought I’d add something else...when I got to King George 4th at the bottom of Hardknott a Dutch coach full of tourists came down the same route and pulled in 5 mins after me and it was driven by a lady...I nearly dropped the bike when I saw that...
"was driven by a lady...I nearly dropped the bike when I saw that..." WHY ?
I thought Hardknott was more straightforward personally - my video is on here somewhere if you’re interested
@@Hui9697 too long to explain...welcome the wine for the ladies...Merry Christmas...
@@TheMissendenFlyer it's all personal I suppose...especially on the way back through Bealach na Ba was just easy...the views are stunning on the way back.
Good rewind/replay TMF, it's annoying the GoPro never shows how steep the terrain is!!. I ride the Healy Pass and the Priest's Leap in the West of Ireland , the Priest's Leap is great but a bit nerve wracking when you meet an oncoming car and your on a tall adventure bike !! Happy Christmas to you and your family! Cheers, Steve
TMF: "It seems easier going down than going up..."
PHYSICS: That would be gravity sucking you down the hill whether you like it or not.
Looks like quite the ride. In terms of grade we have similar roads here in NA but just not that narrow. Kind regards and Christmas wishes from Canada. 🇨🇦
...and to you Lyle!
Great ride as always!
Can I ask what Head cam you use
Cheers
GoPro Hero 4 is my camera of choice!
Brilliant Tmf thanks from danny
Hi. Great video. Im looking for a camera to do big trips. and the quality on some like the ghost drift isnt bad but your go pro is great. Im curious how you cope with the short battery life.
I carry many spare batteries!
@@TheMissendenFlyer that does make sense lol
Very cool!
Try the most dangerous route in England where many meet their maker. It's called the Cat and Fiddle between Buxton and Macclesfield in Derbyshire.
I've done it several times - there's a video on my channel somewhere from the dim and distant past....
@@TheMissendenFlyer The route was dumbed down with average speed cameras. Otherwise, a motorcyclists heaven (Or hell, Forgive the pun),
....indeed - when I first rode it, no cameras :0)
Will be riding this route in 2 weeks time with the Front End Chatter guys. i’ll be on my Ducati Supersport S, looking at this section as an experience as opposed to epic ride…. the other 800 miles we have planned, now thats a different story.
I hate to tell you the Hardnott Pass is definitely worse than that especially if it’s busy 🤷♂️
I found it much easier personally....
I was going to say the same as Gavin, Hardnott is more diffucult, particularly when heading in the direction of Wrynose pass. Interesting to hear you think differently. I thought Bealach Na Ba is like a motorway by comparison.
Doing it in two weeks time and hoping the mobile home brigade stay at home that day 🙏
Good luck!
A must do for any biker.
Agreed!
Just completed the NC500 Amazing g road to ride was almost ruined by a Tesco delivery van Apparently road rules don’t apply to them
It's a great ride isn't it!
Absolutely loved it And it’s 3/4 hours ride from my home Already planning a trip to applecross in July
With 2 mates on their Kawasaki Z1000's in front of me in my VW Scirocco, I managed 120mph going back down from Applecross Andy! 😂
What bike of your own would you prefer to do it on again...But with no body or luggage weighing you down? 🤔
It was a poor ride before and it is poor now. This is a cracking road - yes, some nervous moments but that adds to the ride. Either you want to do this or you don't.
Good video TMF
Thank you....
I went over from Applecross in July this year. Thick fog from around 150 feet. Scary doesn’t quite describe it adequately. Also, I saw nothing of the scenery, visibility of around 20 feet.
You southern softy, try cycling up it, that's a challenge. With the temperature change at the top I nearly came off going down the other side due to shaking being so cold.
Err thanks, think I’ll leave that to you!!
Maybe experience and confidance was improved? My mate was on a hyabusa, I could have made a brew by the time he got to the top🤣 GS is the best👍
Id suggest returning when you have some more experience in this type of roads.......then come to Canada and we'll climb the Rocky Mtns! :)
Thanks for the advice!
Hardknott is more challenging, last time I was on it we had a good laugh at a range rover struggling to get up it🤣
Personally I found the Hardknott easier....not sure why...
Aye, right.
A perfect road for an RS Ford.
2071 feet = 621m for us in the rest of the world.
Love the channel, watch every one. One thing I have noticed, In every tour video you post, there is a windscreen spoiling the view of the road's horizon, that's the spot that your viewers want to focus on. I really enjoy your videos, but this is really annoying. Maybe mount the GoPro on top of your helmet.
Thanks for the advice!
I prefer Applecross over Hardknott pass. I did them both last year, a couple of days apart. Unfortunately I did a slow-mo drop of my GS on hardknott in near zero visibility, but that’s what the engine bars are for. Lol 🏍👍🏻
Oops!
It’s all good. It’s not the first time & I’m sure it won’t be the last 😁
I saw the Fantic Caballero recently and fell in love (the 500) could you review it, please?
Check my videos - I reviewed it a week or two back....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Whoops! ta
Do you recall what time of year it was when you rode this? I’ll be in Scotland in early May, starting to think of what clothes to pack..
April - per the description 😉
Hope to do it in 2020👍
Why are you riding on the sidewalk?
It felt like that!
I once went over and I kid you not there was a chap who went up and over on a penny farthing 😱
Blimey - good effort!
after doing some off roading via your mate in spain, do you think a second go would be easier?
Yeah probably would be - the GoPro doesn't really do justice to how narrow and steep this is though...single track is the issue....
I've done the hard knot pass, so I'm aware the road is exciting but as you said, watch out for the tourists, they can really cause you some stressful moments
Rode this Oct 2018 in cloud with about 100m visibility. At 9:55 corner found a GSA stranded In the soft marsh having accidentally exited the road, but still right way up 🤙 Stopped to help as you would...Took 4 of us to drag it out. Fabulous road even in rain and cloud.
Can see our little rescue here at 6:00 ua-cam.com/video/hj_FG-9bGSw/v-deo.html GoPro makes it look flat when it’s the opposite .
This is where a wee suzuki vstrom 250 or a bmw 310 would leave your big tourers for dead.
Agreed!
Piece of peee compared to wynrose and hardknott pass!!! in my cumbria ..but very nice up or down lucky it was always fine when I did it....what about the truck snow plough driver in winter he is a tough man.. cheers from dave🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅
I disagree! Have you ridden this one??
@@TheMissendenFlyer yeah many times bike and car...cheers
@@TheMissendenFlyer ps I only say this due too hard knott being such a terrible surface and camber and witnessing riders dropping their bikes sadly...
Bike shifts like a Mac truck. clunk box...
You say that like it's a bad thing!
@@TheMissendenFlyer well, it is IMO